🎭 There’s something special about seeing young people light up a stage.
🇦🇺 A very special evening welcoming some of our newest Australian citizens.
🎄❤️ It was a pleasure to join @clareoneilmp, @steve_dimopoulos and @south_east_community_links at their Christmas in July celebration at the Oakleigh Carnegie RSL.
💍 What an extraordinary milestone, 75 years of marriage.
🎉 Celebrating 50 years of Probus in Australia!
🌏 Great to meet with the Eastern Region Group of Councils yesterday in my capacity as Vice President of the Australian Local Government Association.
🏉 Great to officially open the new $3.1 million Brandon Park Reserve Pavilion.
🎭 What a fantastic night watching Beauty and the Beast, performed by the incredibly talented students of @mazenodvic and @avila_college.
FightMND
🏐 Great to be back at Waverley Netball Centre with Deputy Mayor Cr Elisha Lee to check out the brand new spectator seating now installed on the outdoor courts.
🥶 A little cold, but absolutely worth it!
Safety review of sporting facilities
🏛️ Local government is united, and today we sent a clear message to Federal Parliament.
A heads-up for Monday 27 July 📱
💡 Did you know?
As Monash continues to grow, so too does the number of people walking and cycling on our roads.
🇦🇺 A very special evening welcoming our newest Australian citizens.
Don’t get caught out; Glen Waverley Library is closed as we prepare to begin construction on the new Library.
This afternoon the whole family enjoyed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, presented by the incredibly talented students from Salesian College and Sacred Heart.
The energy, confidence and enthusiasm on display were fantastic. From the lead performances to the ensemble, it was clear just how much work had gone into bringing the show to life.
Zoe was a huge fan of the Queen of Pop, who certainly knew how to steal a scene! As for me, I thought Charlie and Willy Wonka were outstanding.
Congratulations to everyone involved, the cast, orchestra, crew, teachers and volunteers. Productions like this give students the opportunity to develop confidence, creativity and lifelong memories, and they provide the community with a wonderful night out.
Well done to all involved! 👏🎭
@salesiancollegechadstone @shgc.oakleigh
Citizenship ceremonies are always incredibly moving. Behind every pledge is a unique story, a journey and a decision to officially call Australia home.
I was also proud to have Zoe come along and share the occasion with me. It was a wonderful opportunity for her to see firsthand the meaning of citizenship and the diversity that makes our community so special.
Congratulations to all of our new citizens. 🇦🇺
The event was a chance to recognise the extraordinary volunteers of Monash Oakleigh Community Support and Information Service and Monash Waverley Community Information and Support, who for many years provided compassionate support to some of our community’s most vulnerable residents.
Today, that important legacy continues through South East Community Links, with @monashcouncil proud to support the transition through an earlier $80,000 investment, followed by a further $150,000 in this year’s Budget. It’s a great example of local, state and federal governments working alongside community organisations to strengthen support for those who need it most.
Thank you to everyone, past and present, who continues to make our community a more caring and connected place.
It was a privilege to spend time with Mount Waverley’s Reg and Mary Williams as they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.
They shared some wonderful memories with us, including going to dances together at the Oakleigh RSL and their early married life in Mount Waverley, when they would walk to a family member’s home near the corner of Warrigal and Dandenong Roads in Oakleigh just to have a bath.
Reg and Mary have called Mount Waverley home for more than 76 years and have seen the area change from dirt roads and horse-drawn deliveries into the vibrant community it is today.
I took my girls along for the visit, which Reg and Mary really appreciated. We all loved hearing their stories and taking a trip down memory lane with two very special members of our community.
Congratulations, Reg and Mary, on 75 remarkable years together. ❤️
It was wonderful to join the Syndal Combined Probus Club to recognise this remarkable milestone and the important role Probus plays in keeping people active, connected and engaged.
Congratulations to everyone who has contributed to 50 years of friendship, fellowship and community. 👏
It was a pleasure to welcome ALGA President, Mayor Matt Burnett, to discuss the national issues that matter most to local communities and the important role councils play in shaping Australia’s future.
Our discussions covered the need for infrastructure funding to support housing and population growth, advancing the circular economy, protecting and expanding public open space, and exploring how councils can work more collaboratively through shared services.
Strong local government starts with strong collaboration. By working together across councils and advocating with one voice nationally, we can achieve better outcomes for our communities. 🤝🏛️
Thank you to @johnmullahymp and the Victorian Government for contributing $500,000. It is a great example of different levels of government working together to deliver for our community.
Congratulations to @mazenod_fc and @mulgravewheelershillcc. 👏
Having spent many years involved in theatre myself, it’s always a joy to see the next generation embracing the stage with such energy and commitment.
Even better, I got to share the experience with April and Zoe. It was wonderful seeing them so inspired by the performance.
Theatre is about so much more than putting on a show. It builds confidence, teamwork, resilience and creativity. It challenges young people to step outside their comfort zone, work together and create something truly special.
Congratulations to the cast, orchestra, backstage crew, directors, teachers and volunteers who brought this production to life. The talent on display was exceptional, and the standing ovation at the end was thoroughly deserved.
Thank you to everyone involved for a wonderful evening, and for keeping the performing arts thriving in our community. 👏🎭
This is another practical investment that makes a real difference for the thousands of players, families and supporters who use the centre every week. Women’s sport deserves quality facilities, and we’re committed to continuing to invest in them.
We’ve also committed funding for improved pedestrian paths through the car park, and we’re continuing to advocate to the Victorian Government for paths and lighting through Jells Park to create a safer, better-connected route to the centre.
And we’re already turning our minds to the next opportunity, the redevelopment of the Waverley Softball pavilion, ensuring this precinct continues to grow and meet the needs of current and future generations of women and girls in sport.
One project at a time, we’re building a stronger sporting future for our community.
@waverleynetball @waverleysoftball @cr.elishalee @monashcouncil
Recently I took the plunge at the @monashdemons FightMND fundraiser alongside @mattfregonmp, Member for Ashwood.
Together, we helped raise more than $3,000 for FightMND, supporting the search for effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for motor neurone disease.
A huge thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered and got behind the day. Community events like this show what can be achieved when people come together for a great cause.
Well done to the Monash Demons for putting on another fantastic event. ❤️💙🧊
Following the tragic incident during a football match at Lalor Reserve, on behalf of Monash Council, I extend our deepest sympathies to Nathan’s family, friends, teammates and the broader sporting community.
I understand that this incident has raised concerns about player safety, particularly in relation to sporting field surfaces.
While the circumstances surrounding the incident are still being investigated, I can confirm that Monash Council has acted promptly and proactively to assess any potential risks and provide reassurance to clubs, players and the community that player safety remains our highest priority.
As a precautionary measure, Council has:
• Completed visual inspections of all 23 winter sports fields where synthetic cricket wicket covers are installed.
• Applied additional rubber crumb and sand infill around wicket bases and seams.
• Engaged an independent specialist consultant to undertake hardness testing, commencing this week.
• Sought confirmation from wicket cover manufacturers that their products comply with relevant AFL and Cricket Australia facility guidelines.
• Requested further advice from the AFL regarding compliance requirements and any additional recommendations for community sporting facilities.
Council is taking a precautionary approach while these assessments are undertaken. Any remedial works identified through the independent testing program will be prioritised and completed as soon as possible.
The safety and wellbeing of everyone who uses our sporting facilities must always come first. I will continue to closely monitor the results of this review and work to ensure Council works with relevant sporting bodies and industry experts to take any further action necessary.
I will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
At the National General Assembly in Canberra, councils from across Australia have passed an emergency motion calling for Financial Assistance Grants to be restored to at least 1% of Commonwealth taxation revenue.
These untied grants allow councils to invest in the priorities that matter most to their communities, including roads, drainage, libraries, parks, waste services and community facilities.
The value of this funding has fallen from 1% in 1996 to just 0.49% in 2026–27, while the responsibilities, costs and expectations placed on councils continue to grow.
In my roles as Vice President of the Australian Local Government Association, Deputy President of the Municipal Association of Victoria and Mayor of Monash, I was proud to stand alongside local government leaders from every state and territory in calling for a fairer and more sustainable funding partnership.
Councils are ready to keep delivering for our communities. We now need the Federal Government and Parliament to provide the funding certainty required to do it.
At 2pm, mobile phones and some smart watches and tablets across Victoria will receive a test of AusAlert, Australia’s new national emergency warning system.
Your device may vibrate and play a siren-like sound for about 10 seconds. The message will clearly state that it is a test, and no action is required.
AusAlert is expected to launch in October 2026 and will provide important information and instructions during emergencies.
More info in the link in my bio.
In ABS statistics, an Australian citizen, even someone born here, can be counted as a migrant arrival when they return home after living or working overseas.
It is a useful reminder that statistics are often more complicated than the headline suggests.
Before accepting the facts and figures shared on social media, take a moment to ask what is being counted, how it is defined and what might be missing.
Numbers can inform a debate, but they can also be selectively used to shape a particular view.
Pedestrians and cyclists account for 18% of all deaths and serious injuries on Monash roads, and almost two thirds of those injured are men.
These are not just statistics. They are people going to work, school, the shops or simply moving around their neighbourhood.
We need to keep investing in safer crossings, better paths, improved lighting and road designs that protect everyone, especially our most vulnerable road users.
A growing city must also be a safer city. 🚶♀️🚴♂️
It was an honour to preside over last night’s citizenship ceremony and share this important milestone with individuals and families choosing to make Australia their home. 🇦🇺
Two temporary library sites will open in July.
For more info, click the link in my bio.
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